Colombia Earthquake: Rescue Teams Battle Time to Find Survivors

Rescue workers in western Colombia are in a desperate race against time, sifting through the rubble of collapsed buildings in hopes of finding survivors. The urgency comes as the critical 48-to-72-hour window for successful rescues begins to close, though officials note this period can be extended if trapped individuals have access to food and water.

The 7.4 magnitude earthquake has caused widespread devastation, with the hardest-hit cities including Cali, Pereira, Manizales, and Quibdo. President Abelardo de la Espriella has reported at least 181 confirmed deaths and 2,595 injuries. While official figures list 195 people as missing, civilian-run databases suggest the true number could be closer to 4,000.

In Cali, a lawyer named David Lemos described the collapse of a four-storey building that housed a workshop and a notary's office. He noted that the evacuation was largely successful, but the speed of the event made it difficult to confirm whether anyone remained trapped inside.

Despite the grim circumstances, there have been moments of hope. Rescuers have pulled a dust-covered baby from a crack in a concrete wall, and onlookers cheered as a woman was lifted onto a stretcher. Emergency worker Jhony Alexis Rivas highlighted the community's spirit, noting that young people from the neighbourhood are actively helping with the rescue efforts, providing food and water to those involved.

The official response is being complicated by pre-existing challenges, including deep poverty and decades of civil conflict that have displaced many communities. The new government is now scrambling to coordinate aid and relief operations across the affected region.